Frost Dates for Missoula, MT 59808
Last spring frost May 23 · First fall frost September 19 · 119 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 59808 has about 23,600 people, one of 6 ZIP codes in Missoula.
Short season: 119 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 5–June 9 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans September 5–October 2 (27 days).
Frost probability for 59808
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 9 | May 23 | May 5 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 5 | September 19 | October 2 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MISSOULA 2 NE (11.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 119-day season in Missoula
In Missoula (119 frost-free days, a short season), 33 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 18 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 77 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 11 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 77 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 77 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 29 |
| Carrots | — | May 2–May 9 | 161 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 161 available after May 2. | Jul 18 |
| Cucumber | May 2 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 91 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 91 available after Jun 6. | Jun 23 |
| Beans | — | May 30–Jun 13 | 105 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 105 available after May 30. | Jun 30 |
| Peas | — | Mar 28–Jun 6 | 182 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 182 available after Mar 28. | Jul 9 |
| Zucchini | May 9 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 91 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 91 available after Jun 6. | Jun 28 |
| Onion | Feb 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 154 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 28–May 16 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 17 |
| Kale | Mar 14 | Apr 25–May 9 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 154 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 25. | Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 168 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 25. | Jul 18 |
| Radish | — | Mar 28–Jun 20 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Sep 26. | Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | Mar 28–Jun 20 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Potatoes | — | May 9–May 16 | 140 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 140 available after May 9. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 19 | 224 | overwinter: Plant Sep 19 to Oct 10; harvest the following summer. | Oct 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 18–Jun 13 | 175 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 18; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 25 | May 30–Jun 6 | 91 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 91 available after May 30. | Jun 1 |
| Pumpkin | May 9 | Jun 6–Jun 6 | 84 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 16 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 11 | May 16–May 30 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 16. | Jun 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 28 | May 9–May 9 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 28–Jun 20 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 168 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 25. | Jun 18 |
| Butternut Squash | May 9 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 84 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 16 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 4 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 77 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 77 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Okra | Apr 25 | May 30–Jun 6 | 98 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 98 available after May 30. | Jun 28 |
| Basil | Apr 18 | Jun 13–Jun 13 | 84 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 84 available after Jun 13. | Jun 23 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 25–May 16 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Parsley | Mar 14 | May 30–Jun 6 | 119 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 119 available after May 30. | Jul 4 |
| Celery | Mar 14 | May 30–Jun 13 | 119 | head-start: Even planted out May 30, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 14 | Apr 25–May 9 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 25 | May 16–May 23 | 133 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 29 |
| Collards | Mar 14 | Apr 25–May 9 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Cantaloupe | May 9 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 77 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Feb 28 | May 30–Jun 6 | 133 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 133 available after May 30. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 28–Jun 20 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Oregano | Mar 14 | May 30–Jun 6 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 30. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 28 | May 30–Jun 6 | 119 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 119 available after May 30. | — |
| Sage | Mar 28 | May 30–Jun 6 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 30. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 14 | May 30–Jun 6 | 133 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 133 available after May 30. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 11 | May 9–May 23 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Cosmos | Apr 25 | May 23–Jun 6 | 105 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23. | Jun 23 |
| Lavender | Feb 28 | May 23–Jun 6 | 140 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 140 available after May 23. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 11 | May 23–May 30 | 105 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23. | Jul 3 |
| Melons | May 9 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 77 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 23–Jun 6 | 140 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 140 available after May 23. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 105 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23. | Jun 28 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 30–Jun 13 | 98 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 98 available after May 30. | Jun 18 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 9 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 84 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 6 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 23–Jun 6 | 105 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23. | Jun 13 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 28 | May 30–Jun 6 | 84 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 84 available after May 30. | — |
| Watermelon | May 9 | May 30–Jun 6 | 84 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 84 available after May 30. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 9 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 91 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 91 available after Jun 6. | Jun 28 |
| Zinnias | Apr 25 | May 23–Jun 6 | 105 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23. | Jun 23 |
Month by month in Missoula
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 28), Lavender (Feb 28), Onion (Feb 28), Rosemary (Feb 28). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 14), Collards (Mar 14), Kale (Mar 14), Oregano (Mar 14), Parsley (Mar 14), Scallions (Mar 14), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 28), Beets (Mar 28), Dill (Mar 28), Peas (Mar 28), Radish (Mar 28), Spinach (Mar 28). |
| April | Start indoors: Eggplant (Apr 4), Calendula (Apr 11), Cauliflower (Apr 11), Marigolds (Apr 11), Pepper (Apr 11), Basil (Apr 18), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 11), Cilantro (Apr 25), Turnip (Apr 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 25), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 25), Cabbage (Apr 25), Collards (Apr 25), Kale (Apr 25), Lettuce (Apr 25), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 18). |
| May | Start indoors: Cucumber (May 2), Butternut Squash (May 9), Cantaloupe (May 9), Melons (May 9), Pumpkin (May 9), Spaghetti Squash (May 9), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (May 2), Potatoes (May 9), Sunflowers (May 23), Beans (May 30), Pole Beans (May 30). Transplant from: Calendula (May 9), Swiss Chard (May 9), Bok Choy (May 16), Cauliflower (May 16), Cosmos (May 23), Lavender (May 23), +15 more. Last frost around May 23. |
| June | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Jun 6), Cantaloupe (Jun 6), Cucumber (Jun 6), Eggplant (Jun 6), Melons (Jun 6), Pepper (Jun 6), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Corn (Jun 1), Sunflowers (Jun 13), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 18), Pole Beans (Jun 18), Basil (Jun 23), Cosmos (Jun 23), +9 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Jul 3), Parsley (Jul 4), Peas (Jul 9), Cabbage (Jul 18), Carrots (Jul 18), Beets (Jul 19), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Kale (Aug 2), Kohlrabi (Aug 2), Turnip (Aug 7), Arugula (Aug 17), Spinach (Aug 17), Radish (Aug 18). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 19). First frost around September 19. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 10). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Missoula, MT (ZIP 59808)?
The median last spring frost date for Missoula, MT (ZIP code 59808) is around May 23. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before May 5; one in ten it runs past June 9.
What is the first fall frost date in Missoula, MT?
The median first fall frost date for Missoula, MT is around September 19. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Missoula, MT?
The frost-free growing season in Missoula is about 119 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Missoula (119 frost-free days, a short season), 33 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Missoula, MT?
Missoula, MT is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Missoula, MT?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 18 and plant out Jun 6 in Missoula. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Missoula?
Two: plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26.
When do I plant garlic in Missoula?
Sep 19 to Oct 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Missoula?
Yes, with help. Even planted out May 30, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Polson (ZIP 59860) has 144 frost-free days, 25 more than Missoula (ZIP 59808). See Polson ZIP 59860 frost dates
Nearby and related
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